Torn earlobes occur with more regularity than realized. Heavy earrings, excess pulling on the earring, and direct trauma to the earlobe can cause a partial split or complete tear in the ear lobule. Sometimes insurance will cover the repair, but most carriers consider repair cosmetic.
Repair of the earlobe is a brief facial plastic surgery procedure. The incision line that forms may take several months to heal and be less noticeable. Typically, the ear can be repierced about 8 to 10 weeks after repair. Occasionally, a keloid or thicker scar may result. These keloids can be treated with special medicine to help settle the scar.
